(Washington) The White House has fired six members of an independent federal agency responsible for reviewing construction work in Washington, US media reported Tuesday, as President Donald Trump strives to reshape the capital in his image.
According to the American daily Washington Postthe United States Commission of Fine Arts was expected to review some of the projects by the US president, who has embarked on a series of renovations and construction since returning to office in January.
The dismissal of committee members, also reported by the media New York Times and CNN, removes a potential obstacle to Donald Trump’s ambitions, which have been sharply criticized by architectural historians and political opponents.
Created by Congress in 1910, the Commission of Fine Arts is composed of architects and planners. She advises on the design and preservation of architectural heritage in Washington, focusing on government buildings and monuments in this strictly restricted area.
Last week, workers were tasked with demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build instead a $300 million ballroom wanted by Donald Trump.
The Republican also considered building a triumphal arch resembling the one in Paris across from the Lincoln Memorial.
Calling the White House “one of the most significant historic buildings in the United States,” the nonprofit Society of Architectural Historians issued a statement on October 16 expressing “great concern” over Donald Trump’s plans.
These also drew backlash from Democrats, including former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who accused Trump of “destroying” the White House.
His predecessor, former Democratic President Joe Biden, had appointed all of the now-fired members of the Commission of Fine Arts, after himself revoking the members appointed by Donald Trump during the Republican’s first term.
According to media reports, the White House will appoint new commissioners aligned with Donald Trump’s policies.
